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When the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) was launched, the municipal corporation had revealed its plans to introduce integrated ticketing system between BRTS and the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) for commuters. This meant that a single ticket would be valid for travel on buses in both services.

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Had this been done, it would have been a boon to passengers who would be able to avoid hassles of two tickets and more fare charges. Despite several experimentations it remains the same. Of course, the Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd (AJL), the AMC subsidiary to run the BRTS buses, has been able to issue smart cards for pre-paid travel.

The chronic disability of AMTS to raise funds for the procurement of necessary equipment is a major hurdle standing in the way of any progress in this direction. AJL officials say that they are ready with the required software to start the single ticketing between AMTS and BRTS, but the latter does not have adequate financial prowess to meet around Rs 100-crore cost of the equipment that is needed to be installed on the entire AMTS fleet.

Already AMC is pumping Rs 120 crore to sustain AMTS operations every year, so there is no question of putting in another Rs 100 crore to have an integrated ticketing platform, said Akhilesh Brahambhatt, Assistant General Manager AJL.